ANGELS ARE AROUND

SABBATH

 

Today we celebrate the feast of the Archangels; Michael (meaning “Who is like God”), Raphael (meaning “The Medicine of God”), and Gabriel (meaning “The Power of God”). Michael is known as our defender against Satan and all his evil angels. Raphael was the archangel who took care of Tobias in his journey and therefore our caregiver. And Gabriel was the one who announced to Mary that she was to be the Mother of the Son of God and therefore our wisdom and source of courage. Early catechism tells us that each of us had been assigned by God with Guardian Angels. They were meant to make us aware and feel that God is with us and that He guides us. But we need to recognize and be open to god’s unique presence. Many of us at a certain point in our life dismiss the presence of these spirits. Stories had already been told about some women who were in close danger of being harassed and harmed and suddenly found the courage, the action and the words needed to ward off their attackers. All because they sought the assistance of God through His angels. I, myself, felt God’s wisdom through Archangel Gabriel when I was seeking my vocation. Inspired by Mary’s experience with Gabriel, I sought the Lord and He responded to me through Archangel Gabriel. The call of God became clearer and definite for me. It is a matter of faith. God’s ways are really mysterious and unpredictable. Others may live their faith without recognizing the presence of angels. But many, like me, who are aware of their presence and power, benefit from the angels. Hail to Michael, Gabriel and Raphael! Fr. Benny Tuazon   Reflection Question: Do you communicate with your angels? Do you take advantage of the help and protection they provide?   Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here. Even this day be at my side to light and guide, to rule and guard. Amen.   St. Garcia, pray for us.

THE TIME IS NOW

SABBATH

 

Have you heard this story about how Lucifer instructed his devils to come up with plans to entice more people to go to hell? One devil said, “I will tempt them with riches and give them all the treasures of the world. A lot of rich people easily forget God when they have all their treasures to think of. They will put their trust in their wealth instead of God.” But Lucifer said, “That may be true, but that is still not very effective. God can still reach the hearts of some of these rich people that they sometimes have a change of heart and make use of their riches to help build churches, hospitals and all sorts of things that  money can buy to help the needy. Thus, they buy their way to heaven.” Another devil proposed, “I will tempt them to put their trust in science. If they are able to produce all these things through science and technology, they will no longer feel the need for God. They will feel so powerful that they would trust no one but themselves as they make their own miracles.” The devil answered, “Well, for a time it was a cause of alarm for the Church on earth. They initially thought that science was an enemy. But eventually they were able to see how even the works of science can become a tool for evangelization.”

The third devil then said, “I think I will just convince them that there is still much time. That they can do as they please and just turn to God towards the end of their life. To make them lose the sense of urgency, I believe, is the easiest way to entice them to go to hell.” And Lucifer

agreed.

This is exactly the point of Jesus about His radical demand from those He calls to follow Him — that they feel the need to respond and not be delayed by even the most valid of human concerns. They need to have a sense of urgency that establishing God’s Kingdom must never be postponed, or the devil may just take on the task and push their evil agenda instead. “Let the dead bury their dead. Now, you follow me.” Strong words. But if we consider what is at stake, we better heed the call.Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes   Reflection Question: Are you one of those who dilly-dally in doing your work for God’s Kingdom?   Lord, fill me with a sense of urgency to respond to Your call to follow You now and not later.                                                                                                                                                                                               St. Machan, pray for us.

NEVER GIVE UP ON ANYBODY

SABBATH

John the Evangelist mentions in 4:9 the enmity between Jews and Samaritans. Hence, the rejection that Jesus and His disciples got from the people of Samaria was really expected. This makes us wonder why in today’s Gospel He still decided to pass through that town which has nothing but hostility for them. This will lead us to understand an essential Christian norm which Jesus has clearly shown in how He conducted Himself in the midst of this bind: that we need not give up on anybody. Jesus surely had not given up on the Samaritans. They may have been hostile to Him and His kind but He just wouldn’t give up on them. His disposition hinged on the possibility that they may still have a change of heart. Unfortunately though, the risk didn’t work in their favor. But even if His attempt at entering the lives of the Samaritans didn’t pay off, He still had the tenacity not to think ill of them for He desired no harm for them. By rebuking His disciples who wanted to cause destruction to the Samaritans, He made it clear that even as they left Samaria, this unwelcoming lot would be given another chance. This benevolent attitude of Jesus towards the people of Samaria should serves us all well. We know that no matter how far off we may have wandered away from Him, He will never give up on us. He will continue to make us feel His presence as He attempts to enter our lives. May we be found welcoming when He makes the move.  Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes   Reflection Question: Is there someone in your life that you want to give up on? Wait. Jesus is at work in him.   Lord, grant me patience and compassion for the difficult people in my life. May I learn  to accept them as they are, trusting that You are working in them. Amen.   St. John Mark, pray for us.

DO OUR ACTIONS MATCH OUR WORDS?

SABBATH

Promises cannot take the place of performance. Fine words are never a substitute for fine deeds. This is how William Barclay describes the main thrust of this parable. The son who has shown great courtesy by submitting himself to the will of his father in words is edifying. But his courtesy and verbal assent to his father’s will proved worthless since it was never translated into action. Let’s examine ourselves. Consider the many amusing words we utter to God. We participate in the Sunday liturgy and we profess our faith in our Triune God, our Church and the mysteries we hold as true. How are we able to translate these promises of belief in our own lives? We say we believe in our Father who created all things, but we destroy His creation by our lack of concern for the environment. We make our faith in the Son known by the creed we confess, but we refuse to accept His teachings that will enable us to join Him in heaven. We profess our faith in the Spirit, but we close our hearts to its promptings and stirrings to live a life that is pleasing in God’s eyes. We sing songs of praise, but we utter lies and engage in dishonest deals to get by in our daily grind. We exult God in our Alleluias even as we debase people in our minds and make evil schemes against people who have offended us. Come to think of it, our liturgies are nothing but emulative words to a God whom we see as overflowing with goodness and worthy of all our praise. In this regard we are surely never wanting. Fine words to God, we are overflowing with. But fine deeds?  Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes   Reflection Question: Do you walk your talk? It’s time to start being true to your words.   Lord, help me to be true to the faith that I profess, to bring my faith into action, and to talk less but act more.   Sts. Paul and Tatta, pray for us.

Prayer secrets --- for cradle Catholics, and converts, too!

Whether you've just begun to prayor have been faithfully praying for years, now is the time to learn to pray better. Now is the time to rescue your prayers from distraction and superficiality and transform them into real occasions for communion with Jesus.

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Now is the time to clear away lingering misunderstandings that cripple you when you pray and to push aside those last obstacles that keep you from praying with heartfelt love and attention.

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To help you pray as Jesus yearns for you to pray, the wise priest Lawrence Lovasik has written a remarkably helpful book: The Basic Book of Catholic Prayer: How to Pray and Why. It will make your prayers easier, and more more fruitful! In the pages of this book, Fr. Lovasik takes nothing for granted, devoting a full chapter to each of the following topies, so that, no matter how much — or how little — you have prayed so far, once you complete this book, you will be sure to: Understand what prayer is See why prayer is necessary Recognize the power of prayer Practice vocal prayer Practice mental prayer Adore God for His infinite goodness Offer thanks to God Pray to atone for sin Imitate the divine Model of prayer Be humble in prayer Persevere in your prayer Pray with a sincere heart Be attentive in your prayer Pray with confidence Abandon yourself to God's will Cultivate a spirit of prayer Overcome the obstacles to prayer Seek always to please God Walk in God's presence Reap the benefits of prayer

Fr. Lovasik will show you how the Church's sacraments fortify your prayer — and how your prayers, in turn, enhance your reception of the sacraments. You'll find out how to bring to your own prayers the qualities that make prayer effective. In a word, with the help of Fr. Lovasik, your prayers will become more heartfelt, more focused, and more full of love for God.

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"Prayer is the key that opens the treasury of God.Use it well and often!" From The Basic Book of Catholic Prayer

Also explained by Fr. Lovasik: • Why true prayer is not necessarily a matter of words, spoken or otherwise • Liturgical prayer: why you must pray with the Church • Four things you must bear in mind in order to pray better • Why prayer is essential for your salvation (even though God already knows all that you need) • Two essential ingredients that transform thinking about God into genuine prayer • Swamped with earthly cares or selfish interests? Why prayer at such moments makes such a difference, hard as it may be • Your Faith: how knowing it better will improve your prayers • Temptations: practical ways prayer helps you resist even the strongest of them • How to trust in God when your prayers seem to go unanswered • Distractions in prayer: four ways you can keep them from disturbing you • Family prayer: how to bring God into your home life — consistently and painlessly • Five ways you should follow Jesus' example in your own prayer • The Our Father: why it's the most perfect prayer — and how to avoid common pitfalls many fall into when praying this simple prayer • And much more that will help you pray better and keep Jesus at the center of your life!

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The Basic Book of Catholic PrayerHow to Pray and Why by Fr. Lawrence G. Lovasik
$14.95 paperback
224 pages

ORDER ONLINE
or call             1-800-888-9344      

Sophia Institute PressBox 5284, Manchester, NH 03108

Lawrence G. Lovasik (1913-1986),author of our popular book The Hidden Power of Kindness, said that his life's ideal was to "make God more known and loved through my writing." Fr. Lovasik did missionary work in America's coal and steel regions, founded the Sisters of the Divine Spirit, a missionary congregation, and wrote numerous books and pamphlets emphasizing prayer and the Holy Eucharist.

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MY JESUS

“Who do the crowds say that I am?” – Luke 9:18

 

Being an OFW and living in a foreign country, Jesus has revealed to me His presence in so many ways — in my solitude, or when laboring through daily struggles at work or at home.

When I am alone, He is my companion (Matthew 28:20). When I feel weak, He is my strength (Philippians 4:13). When I am sick, He is my healer (Luke 5:40). When people stay away from me, He is my friend (John 15:15). When my mind is troubled, He is my peace (Isaiah 9:6). When I am vulnerable, He is my refuge (Psalm 31:3). When I am confused, He is my guide (Psalm 73:24). When I feel sad, He is my joy (Psalm 4:7). When I miss my family, He is my comforter (John 14:16). When risks are all around, He is my protector (Psalm 91). When I lack something, He is my provider (Philippians 4:19). When I do not know what to do, He is my teacher (Matthew 12:38). When I need advice, He is my wisdom (Romans 11:33). When I am lost, He is the way (John 14:6). When people falsely accuse me, He is my vindicator (Isaiah 54:17).

And yes, Jesus is my Master, my King, my Lord! He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords! He is a merciful and loving God. Danny Tariman (danny@ dtariman.com)

CONSCIENCE CHECK

SABBATH

The thought of Him bothered his working days, but He disturbed his sleep as well. Herod just couldn’t dismiss this man and put Him out of his mind. He must have heard people talking about Him, or he may have heard Him himself. He couldn’t help but be drawn to Him, so he sought Him. “Who is this man?” Then he thought of something he had done in the past — about another man who gained illustriousness and renown because of his lifestyle and preaching, someone who spoke against his immoral ways, someone he silenced. Could He be the same one? “But John I myself beheaded,” he said as he dismissed the thought of the baptizer going back to life. According to John Ayto, conscience comes from the Latin prefix com, meaning “with or together” and scire, meaning “to know.” Hence, “to know something with oneself,” or “a moral awareness, a mental differentiation between right and wrong.” Herod may have escaped the rule of law by going scot-free or even guilt-free with his execution of John. But what the rule of law was not able to reach, his conscience was able to invade. It had finally caught up with him. Joseph Donders wrote, “Herod can be our example in one way: his bad conscience makes him want to see Jesus. When we are in bad conscience it would be a good thing for us to have the same desire—not for the reason Herod had, but in view of an admission of sin,  orgiveness, conversion, and also to get rid of the constant anxiety of that bad conscience.” How’s your conscience? Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes Reflection Question: Is your conscience bothering you? Consider what it is saying to you. Is it a sin, or guilt, or a need to forgive someone?  Listen to it. Lord, speak more loudly in my conscience when I need to repair something that I have done or failed to do. Sts. Digna & Emerita, pray for us.

OUR KINSHIP WITH JESUS AND MARY

SABBATH

“My mother and brothers are those who listen to the words of God and do it.” These were Jesus’ words when some people tried to get His attention by telling Him that His Mother and brothers were looking for Him as he was speaking to some eager listeners. Far from other people’s belief that Jesus dismisses His Mother by saying so, He actually extols His Mother with those words. For His mother was the first one who heard God’s words and believed them. She listened to God’s words and really looked forward to seeing its fulfillment in her life. She knew, as exhibited by her words during the visitation, that what just happened to her was a fulfillment of the promise—God’s words of old — that would be realized in and through her. With those words, Jesus said something like, “Look at my Mother here. Yes, she is so blessed for giving birth to me, but more blessed is she for having listened to My Father’s words and believing that they would be realized in her. Look at her, a perfect example of what I am telling You. She becomes more of a mother to me because of her continuous receptivity and obedience to God’s words spoken through Me.” Those words of Jesus should encourage us. For with those words we have been made eligible to this divine kinship that we may perhaps be thinking is exclusive to Mary, Joseph or even the Apostles. Now we know that we can be “related” to Christ. And the way to enter this relationship is by hearing the words of God and obeying them. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes   Reflection Question: How much of a Mary do you have in you? Do you listen to God’s words for you? Do you obey them?   Lord, may my heart be always open to receive Your word and my will always ready to obey and act on them.                                                                                                                                                                         St. Lawrence Imbert, pray for us.

What every weary Catholic needs

Daily Meditationis a sure remedy for spiritual lethargy . . . that sad state in which, too often now, we find our inner life shriveled, our prayers listless, the sacraments mere habits, and even the Mass routine.
	That’s why, over 70 years ago, the wise Dominican priest Bede Jarrett penned and gathered for busy Catholics like you and me more than 120 meditations — none longer than 1,000 words — to ensure that each of our days contain at least one brief, thoughtful encounter with God.
Classic Catholic Meditations  by Fr. Bede Jarrett, O.P. 478 pages
In less than five minutes a day, these remarkable, bite-sized meditations will teach you something new about our Faith, introducing not merely dry catechetical facts, but rich spiritual truths we all need to meditate on.
	Don’t know how to meditate? No problem. Meditation is simply prayer of the mind and heart, a kind of prayer that Fr. Jarrett teaches you here in a page or two. Once you learn it, you’ll find yourself reaping the rich spiritual harvest that regular meditation brings, no matter how brief your meditations may be.
In fact, within days of taking up these pages, you’ll be surprised to find yourself habitually addressing yourself to God — not merely during crises, but also in the ordinary course of your day, regularly calling on Him for strength and quietly speaking to him out of the fullness of your heart.
Classic Catholic Meditations  by Fr. Bede Jarrett, O.P.$24.95 paperback 478 pages ORDER ONLINE or call             1-800-888-9344       Sophia Institute PressBox 5284, Manchester, NH 03108 In just a few moments each day, you'll grow richer in understanding of the following:  Almsgiving Angels Anointing of the sickAuthority Baptism The Catholic Church as the repository of truth Character versus temperament Cheerfulness How the Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic The Communion of Saints Confession Confirmation Contemplation Cultivating good habits Detachment Educating yourself in the Faith The Eucharist Forming your conscience Friendship with men and with God Generosity of spirit Gifts of the Holy Spirit God’s graceGod’s mercy after death God’s nearness God’s ProvidenceHappiness in Heaven The Holy Name of Jesus Holy Orders The Holy Spirit in your life The Holy TrinityHow to increase your love of God Jesus as true God and true man Listening for God in the Scriptures The Liturgy The loneliness that sin causes Marriage The mysteries of the Faith The Mystical Body of Christ Nurturing virtueObedienceOvercoming distractionsThe Pope The relation of faith and prayer Respect for property The resurrection of the body Righteous angerThe roots of sin Seeing God face-to-face Self-denial The Sign of the Cross Silence in prayer The solitude of Hell Speaking to God Spiritual aridity Suffering The Virgin Mary’s perfection and intercession The wisdom of God Your unique vocation . . . and countless other topicsconsidered in these brief meditations that will complete your understanding, deepen your faith, calm your soul, and help you pray. Why not begin with the first one today? Fr. Bede Jarrett, 0.P.(1881-1934) Fr. Bede Jarrett looked upon life as a great adventure, and his joyful spirit pervades these classic meditations, which combine a solid foundation in Church doctrine with down-to-earth insights applicable to everyday living. Ordained in 1904, Fr. Jarrett was stationed at St. Dominic’s Priory in London. At 33, he was named Prior there and, just two years later, was elected Provincial — an office he held the rest of his life. While serving as Provincial, Fr. Jarrett wrote numerous scholarly books, as well as a lively, popular biography of St. Dominic. Fr. Jarrett’s demanding schedule of preaching and lecture engagements in England and abroad soon brought him to the attention of Catholics in the pew. He inspired them with his profound grasp of human nature and his eloquent explanations of the wise and loving ways of God. That same eloquence and Catholic understanding permeates the meditations he penned for this book.